Russia’s long and eclectic history has created a calendar filled with diverse holidays. Some are federal holidays, marked with national celebrations and mandated days off. Others are of lesser importance, marked in private, in passing,...

Eurasia today is generally quite affordable. Students are often surprised how far their dollars will go even in major cities like St. Petersburg and Warsaw – and very surprised at how far they go in...

Note that The School of Russian and Asian Studies does not hire English teachers. However, many of our students, past and present, have inquired into the logistics of teaching while abroad, while as students or...

Suliko Restaurant / Ресторан “Сулико” Казанская 6 Daily 10:00-24:00 Meals from 500 rubles Sulikospb.ru If there’s one non-Russian national cuisine that you should sample while in Russia, it is Georgian. Even Pushkin, who claimed that...

Throughout my program in Russia these past few months, the toll of the Second World War, has often been present and palpable. During World War II and the Great Fatherland War, the name Russians give...

Some of our students report not feeling culture shock at all. Some are surprised by how much culture shock they experience. Often, those most affected by culture shock are those who did not expect to...

Due to frequent student requests for such information, we have provided the following list of charities in Russia that generally accept volunteers and/or donations. Expenses, Legalities, and Logistics: Interested students should contact these organizations directly....

The following information originally appeared as part of a larger article on Russkaya Semyorka, a Russian-language history and culture site. The information has been translated and adapted here by SRAS. According to one legend, the...

The following article originally appeared in Russian on Vegetarianskij.ru. It has been translated and adapted by SRAS for presentation here. History of Vegetarianism in Russia The official coming of vegetarianism to Russia was inaugurated with...

Mikhailovsky Theater Sleeping Beauty/Спящая красавица The Nutcracker/Шелкунчик Mikhailovsky.ru tickets starting at about 750 ru for each show Arts Square in St, Petersburg is the location of the Russian Arts Museum, the Grand Hall of the...

XVI International Winter Festival December 13-25, 2015 Arts Square Yuri Temirkanov (Artistic Director of the Festival) Philharmonia.spb.ru The International Winter Festival is an annual musical festival that takes place in December at Arts Square. This...

Art Center Dumskaya Ulitsa, 4 Tickets from 150 rubles Strolling around the second story of the Art Center space on Dumskaya, posters and calendars showcase nearly a century’s worth of art. Many know of pin-ups,...

The Symphony Orchestra of the State Primorsky Theater Of Opera and Ballet Yekaterina Mechetina (piano) Anton Lubchenko (conductor) Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall Mariinsky.ru The Russia School of Classical Music has greatly contributed to the genre...

Peterland Aquapark (Питерлэнд Аквапарк) Приморский пр., 72 From 1000 rubles At times, life in St. Petersburg can get a bit mundane. Even with the world-class ballet and numerous museums to attend to, everyday routines can...

The Oprichnik/ Опричник Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall Mariinsky Opera Theater, Ballet, and Academy of Young Opera Singers Valery Gergiev (conductor) Mariinsky.ru I am so excited about studying in St. Petersburg because I get the chance...

Museum of Erotica Ligovsky Propekt, 43/45 Open 24/7! 490 rubles for two students (come with a friend!) Museros.ru Tired of the same old tourist itineraries? Or are you (un)fortunate enough to be an insomniac in...

National Library of Russia Multiple Locations and Hours in St. Petersburg See below for details NLR.ru How to sign up Library cards can be attained at the Registration Desks either on the ground floor of...

It’s a little bit surprising to look at the calendar and think that half of my first semester in Vladivostok is already gone. Seven weeks seem to have effortlessly drifted by in strict contention with...

Prince Igor/ Князь Игорь Mariinsky Opera, Chorus, and Ballet Pavel Smelkov (conductor) Mariinsky.ru Opera is one of the most remarkable art forms that have been created in cultural history. Opera combines all the elements of...

Универмаг «Битник» Итальянская улица 17 find them on Facebook Interested in some retro fashion or events while in Piter? Between Nevsky and the Russian Museum, the Beatnik project boasts a bar and a gallery/event space. ...

Anticafes in St. Petersburg Hang out and meet locals Multiple Locations in St. Petersburg Russian: антикафе. Also called a free space (свободное пространство), time-club (тайм-клуб), or time-cafe (тайм-кафе) Anti-cafes are “free spaces” for you to...

Concert Hall/ Концертный зал Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra Lucas Debargue (piano) Valery Gergiev (conductor) http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/ There is nothing I love more than playing in a symphony orchestra. I have performed with an orchestra on the...

Peterhof/Петергоф Closing of the Fountains Spectacular Peterhofmuseum.ru The Tsars had several summer palaces outside St Petersburg. The first summer palace that I was able to visit was Peterhof and during my visit I was able...

Day of Russian Music in Saint Petersburg Art Square; Free Admission The St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra Director: S. Kochanovsky The music of Petr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) has been very impactful on me since I...